Cotton-bale-tie buckle.



- No. 720,166. r PATENTED FEB. 10, 1903.

' 1 J .v F. MATTHEWS. I

-COTTON BALE TIE BUCKLE. A rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES FILLHORE MATTI-IEi/VS, .OF ELRENO, OKLAHOMA TERRITORY,

ASSIGNOR OE ONE-HALF TO JAMES R. COLE, .IR., AND CHRISTO- PHER C. COLE, OF OKLAHOMA, OKLAHOMA TERRITORY.

COTTON BALE-TIE BUCKLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 720,166, dated February 10, 1903.

Application filed July 15, 1902.

T0 (LZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES FILLMORE MAT THEWS, a citizen of the ,United States, residing at Elreno, in the county of Canadian and Territory of Oklahoma, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gotton-Bale-Tie Buckles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in cotton -bale-tie buckles; and my object is to produce a device of this character which is simple in construction and thoroughly eifective for the purpose intended.

In constructing the buckle I arrange the entrance-slot thereto at an angle approximating forty-five degrees in order that the free end of the bale-tie may be inserted therein without twisting it at right angles to the buckle, and consequently the lock may be made with greater ease and rapidity than if the slot were arranged transversely. I also provide the slotted side of the buckle with a shoulder which prevents lateral movement of the free end of the bale-tie after it has been locked in position, and thus insures a distribution of the strain upon both members of the slotted portion. Otherwise if the bale-tie had room to slip laterally, so that all of the strain would come upon one member of the slotted portion, said member would beapt to give way under such increased load.

Bale-ties surrounding cotton-bales obtained from the gin are from three tofour feetlouger than is required for the same bale after it has passed through the compress. It is therefore customary to cut off this unnecessary portion of the tie from the end secured to the slotted side of the buckle, owing to the greater ease with which it may be again secured to said slotted side, and for this reason it is desirable to have something to indicate the slotted from the closed side oi. the buckle, so that it can be ascertained without loss of time by closely examining the buckle which end to out. By arranging the slot at an angle, as shown by Fig. 3, its outer portion or mouth will extend beyond the side of the tie, so that it may be seen at a glance which end of the tie to sever. Were the slot arranged transversely it would be hidden by the bale-tie Serial No. 115.6 55. (No model.)

and loss of time and great inconvenience would be experienced in locating it.

In the accompanying drawings,which illustrate the invention, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the buckle. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the buckle, showing the position of the free end of the bale-tie preparatory to engaging the buckle. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the buckle with the ends of the bale-tie locked therewith. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a cotton-bale bound with bale-ties secured with my buckles.

In the drawings, 1 indicates the buckle, whichis rectangular in contourand provided with a central aperture 2, having three of its sides parallel throughout with the adjacent outer sides of the buckle. The remaining end 3 of the aperture starts from the straight rear side in a bevel 9 and then curves upwardly, as shown by Fig. 3, and terminates in a transverse portion which connects with one of the longitudinal sides and forms a shoulder 4, which prevents lateral movement of the adjacent end of the bale-tie when securedin position on the buckle.

The longitudinal or front side of the buckle, provided with shoulder 4, is severed by an inclined open slot 5, directed toward and at right angles to said bevel 9, which slot provides an entrance to aperture 2 for the free hooked end of the bale-tie 6, said slot being arranged at an angle approximating fortyfive degrees to facilitate the entrance or removal of said free end, the opposite end of the tie having been previously secured to the opposite side of the buckle by bending in the manner shown by Figs. 2 and 4. For this purpose the rear side of the aperture in the buckle is made straight from the upper end of the aperture down to the bevel, and it is made a little longer than the width of the tie, as shown.

In applying the tie itsends are turned in next to the bale to prevent their catching with obstructions while the bale is being hantie is drawn as tightly as possible and its front end, deflected, as seen in Fig. 2, passed through the slot 5 until it strikes the bevel 9, its upper edge then borne inward slightly, and its lower edge then drawn up the curve 3 until it engages the shoulder 4. During these movements its upper edge will be caused to pass across the inner end of the slot 5, so that the parts finally assume the position shown in Fig. 3.

From the above description it is apparent that I have produced a buckle which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and thoroughly effective for the purpose intended.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A bale-tie buckle comprising a plate substantially rectangular in contour and provided with an aperture of which two sides 20 and one end parallel the edges of the plate and are straight throughout, the other end being struck on a bevel extending inward from the rear side, then on a curve extending from the bevel toward the other side, and finally on a transverse line forming a shoulder extending from the curve to the front side, this shoulder being remote from the 0pposite end by the width of the tie, said plate having an oblique slot opening from its forward edge into the front side of the aperture near the upper end of the latter and. directed approximately toward said bevel, all as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES FILLMORE MATTHEWS.

Witnesses:

FRANK C. PAGELS, JAMES MCDONALD. 

